Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 24, 2009 Sivan 1, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:51 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 10:04 21/05/2009
Hamas thwarting terror against Israel to please Egypt
By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: Hamas, Israel News, Egypt 

Hamas has prevented recent terror attacks against Israel because it is scared of angering Egypt, according to Israeli and Palestinian Authority security sources.

Hamas has also acted recently to prevent the firing of Qassam rockets and mortars at Israel from the Gaza Strip, which the Islamist organization controls. The occasional rocket is still being fired but those responsible are smaller Palestinian factions that do not obey Hamas orders.

Hamas' actions can also be explained by a wish to maintain the relative calm between it and Israel in the past two months. The organization is still rebuilding military facilities damaged during the three-week Israel Defense Forces offensive in the Gaza Strip in January.
Advertisement

Additionally, a continuation of the calm will also enhance its chances of receiving financial aid from the international community that it has requested to rebuild civilian infrastructure also damaged during the offensive.

Apparently the most decisive reason for recent Hamas efforts, however, is its concern over the deterioration of relations with Egypt. The uncovering at the beginning of the year of a Hezbollah spy network operating on Egyptian soil led to a souring in Egypt-Hamas relations after Cairo accused Hamas of involvement in Hezbollah's activities.

Related articles:
  • Shin Bet: No chance for peace while Hamas rules Gaza
  • Diskin: Shin Bet wanted to overthrow Hamas during Olmert's term as PM
  • Only 2,000 turn out for Gaza Nakba Day march held by Hamas
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Iran presidential vote
    Ahmadinejad slams rivals for wanting 'detente' with the West.
    Demographic threat
    Study finds one in four Israelis would consider leaving country if Iran gets nukes.
      1.   Priority No.1... Rebuild the military 12:09  |  Peter Williams 21/05/09
      2.   Ditto, Peter, ditto ! 14:18  |  Akiva P 21/05/09
      3.   So..THAT`S why ONLY qassams and no grads! 16:40  |  Arie 21/05/09
      4.   The calm before the storm. 18:14  |  Stephen. 21/05/09
      5.   Best Joke Of the Day 12:47  |  Angela 23/05/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    The Pope in the Holy Land
    Durban II conference
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Air strike in Sudan


    More Headlines
    18:35 U.S.: Jerusalem's status subject to negotiation
    19:22 Netanyahu: We'll build only in existing settlements
    18:59 Could mourning Israel's independence become a crime?
    20:42 Russia FM: Hamas taking more realistic path since Gaza war
    10:55 Court: No crime to shout 'Heil Sharon' while giving Nazi salute
    12:25 WHO: Life expectancy in Israel among highest in the world
    11:40 Arabs like Obama but are still suspicious of U.S.
    20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    16:25 Israel: Arrest Hezbollah chief over Hariri assassination
    09:48 Hamas claiming IDF troops were 'cowards' during Gaza war
    16:36 Syria denies deal with Russia over advanced aircraft fell through
    19:56 Vandals desecrate Christian graves in West Bank
    13:22 Iran blocks Facebook due to presidential campaigning
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved